Higgins announces completion of new Bailey Bridges

Submitted

Mon, Oct 23rd 2017 03:20 pm

$22 million project is largest, current public infrastructure investment in Buffalo

Congressman Brian Higgins marked the opening of the new Bailey Avenue Bridges, crossing Cazenovia Creek and the Buffalo River. The $22 million infrastructure project, which includes over $15 million in federal funding, is the largest public works project currently underway in the City of Buffalo.

"This project on Bailey Avenue and other work across the city, from Fillmore Avenue to Ohio Street to Niagara Street, demonstrates the value of infrastructure investments to not only change the look of a community, but also change the energy and economic opportunities for our neighborhoods," Higgins said.

Work on the project to replace the 88-year old Bailey Bridges began in July 2016. Local contractor Union Concrete completed the project. The new bridges will open to traffic this week, and the old Bailey Bridges will be deconstructed in 2018.

The final project includes a repaved and reconfigured Bailey Avenue (U.S. Route 62) between Elk Street and McKinley Parkway, new sidewalks, granite curbs, water and sewer work, as well as decorative hardscaping and landscaping. Also incorporated into the project is restoration work at Mungovan Park, located adjacent to the Bailey Bridges and Southside Elementary School.

The project will have full bicycle lands to fill a critical gap in the region's bike lane network. This roadway has long been included in the Olmsted Parkway system but only now will the road feature amenities appropriate to this designation: the project includes 144 new trees, 203 new shrubs and 18 new decorative LED lighting fixtures and a new kiosk.

Higgins, a strong supporter of infrastructure investment, introduced the Nation Building Here at Home Act (H.R. 2329), a bill aimed at providing $1.263 trillion in federal funding to rebuild America's infrastructure and create U.S. jobs.